James Arthur Dupre

James Arthur Dupre, age 80, passed away on November 14, 2022, in Barron, Wisconsin.

James (Jim) was born at home on the family home in Centerville, Minnesota on March 25, 1942. He attended grade school at Centerville and high school at Forest Lake, Minnesota.

He worked on the family farm and enjoyed selling vegetables at the farmer's market with his father.

Jim married Kathy Grubbs in 1959. He worked several odd jobs. He worked with his brother-in-law, Irv, at Lino Lakes Cabinet Shop. Eventually, he started his own construction business. He built several homes, decks, and garages in the Forest Lake and Lino Lakes area.

He married his wife, Bette, in 1986. He built their home on Lake Chetek in 1987. Jim retired in 1996 and moved permanently to Chetek. He didn't stay retired for long. He built several homes in the Chetek area and finally retired for good in 2006. Jim and Bette spent their winters at South Padre Island for the last 14 years.

As a young man, he competed in snowmobiling racing competitions. Jim enjoyed fishing, hunting, snowmobiling, gambling, and traveling.

Jim became well known in the area for his awesome Christmas light display where he enjoyed playing Santa Claus to all who visited his Winter Wonderland.

Jim is survived by his wife, Bette, his sons, Lonnie Dupre, Todd (Julie) Dupre, and Dan (Kris) Harper, his daughters, Janie (John) Deluce, Tharesa (David) Stifter, and Dawn (Scott) Harper, his grandsons, Jacob (Jade) Dupre, Cody (Molly) Deluce, Colby Deluce, Dustin Eiffler, Dylan Stifter, Johnathan (Micha) Neuenfeldt, and Justin (Stacy) Oakson, granddaughters, Cassie (Steve) Olson, Justine (Nate) Kenard, Keshia Harper, Latoya (Mike) Kilroy, Samantha (Kent) Knuth, Nicole (Brittany) Summers, and Trisha (Dave) Arnola, and 24 great-grandchildren, as well as many other loving family and friends.

He is preceded in death by his father, Arthur Dupre, mother, Irene Dupre, brother, Lawrence Dupre, sister-in-law, Lorraine Dupre, sister, Eleanor Marier, brother-in-laws, Walter Marier and Irvin Zastrow, and infant son, Kevin Dupre.

A Memorial Service will be held on Sunday, November 20, 2022, at 1:00 PM at the Burnham-Ours-Kolstad Family Funeral Home in Chetek, Wisconsin. A visitation will be held from 12:00-1:00 PM. James will be interred at the St. Boniface Catholic Cemetery. The family invites everyone for a fellowship and lunch at the Chetek Bowling Lanes following the service.

The Burnham-Ours-Kolstad Family Funeral Home was entrusted with arrangements.